Frequently Asked Questions
Product Information & Integration
What is Alkira's solution for integrating Cisco SD-WAN with the cloud?
Alkira enables seamless integration of Cisco SD-WAN fabrics into a fully modernized cloud network-as-a-service. This allows enterprises to extend their Cisco SD-WAN (formerly Viptela and Meraki) to any public cloud using Alkira Cloud Exchange Point (CXP). The integration automates deployment, maintenance, and lifecycle management of Cisco SD-WAN virtual appliances while maintaining administrative control through Cisco vManage. (Learn more)
What products and services does Alkira offer?
Alkira provides Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service (NIaaS), Global Backbone-as-a-Service, integrated security features (such as Zero Trust Network Access and next-generation firewalls), a drag-and-drop interface for network design, comprehensive visibility tools, and flexible pricing models. These solutions are designed to simplify enterprise networking and connectivity challenges across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. (Platform details)
Does Alkira provide APIs for integration?
Yes, Alkira offers APIs, including billing APIs that provide real-time cloud network cost data. These APIs can be integrated with other cost management tools and dashboards, supporting automated monitoring and optimization of cloud costs. (More info)
What technical documentation is available for Alkira's solutions?
Alkira provides a range of technical resources, including whitepapers (e.g., On Demand Next-Generation Cloud Firewalls), solution briefs, and a dedicated wiki for in-depth technical information. (Solution Briefs, Wiki)
Features & Capabilities
What are the key features and benefits of Alkira's platform?
Key features include Network Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Global Backbone-as-a-Service, integrated security (Zero Trust Network Access, next-generation firewalls), ease of use with a drag-and-drop interface, comprehensive visibility, cost savings (up to 40% lower TCO), scalability, and measurable ROI (96% reduction in cloud setup time, 47% reduction in network management time). (Platform details)
What integrations does Alkira support?
Alkira integrates with Cisco SD-WAN, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet NGFW, F5, Splunk, ServiceNow, Infoblox, Aruba SD-WAN, Terraform, and Itential Automation Platform, among others. These integrations enable secure, scalable, and automated networking across cloud and on-premises environments. (Technology Partners)
How does Alkira ensure security and compliance?
Alkira is SOC 2 and PCI-DSS compliant, demonstrating robust operational controls and protection of cardholder data. Integrated security features include Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and next-generation firewalls. Customers are encouraged to follow best practices for user access management. (Compliance details)
How does Alkira handle scalability and performance?
Alkira's platform automatically adjusts network infrastructure to match bandwidth demand, enabling rapid scalability and high-performance networking. The solution reduces cloud setup time by 96% and network management time by 47%, and delivers up to 40% lower TCO compared to traditional solutions. (Performance insights)
Pricing & Plans
What is Alkira's pricing model?
Alkira offers both consumption-based (pay-as-you-go) and commitment-based pricing models. Pricing is determined by the quantity and size of network elements, connectors, next-generation firewalls, and data egress. Fixed hourly rates are available for specific connector types and bandwidth. Customers can view live pricing details from the portal or via APIs. (Pricing details)
Use Cases & Benefits
What business impact can customers expect from Alkira?
Customers can expect significant operational efficiency (96% reduction in cloud setup time, 47% reduction in network management time), up to 40% lower TCO, enhanced security, rapid scalability, business resilience, and support for digital transformation. (Business impact)
What pain points does Alkira solve for enterprises?
Alkira addresses securing distributed workforces, simplifying multicloud and hybrid cloud networking, providing comprehensive visibility and governance, and delivering high-performance, scalable networking. (Solution explainer)
Who can benefit from Alkira's solutions?
Alkira is designed for mid-to-large enterprises across industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, biotechnology, software technology, retail, media & entertainment, and aviation. Target roles include Network Architects, Cloud Architects, Security Architects, IT Managers/Directors, CloudOps, CIOs, CTOs, and CISOs. (Customer stories)
Can you share some customer success stories using Alkira?
Yes. Notable examples include:
- Michaels: Transformed its network across 1,400 stores in record time. (Case study)
- Koch Industries: Simplified multicloud networking and improved agility. (Video)
- Warner Hotels: Enhanced networking efficiency and B2B connectivity. (Video)
- Chart Industries: Improved agility, saved costs, and expanded globally. (Video)
- SITA: Integrated on-premises and cloud environments for aviation. (Video)
More stories: Alkira Customers
What feedback have customers given about Alkira's ease of use?
Customers consistently praise Alkira for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and rapid deployment. For example, a Network Architect at a large manufacturer reported, "The IT DIY approach was going to take 6 months to be secure and redundant and all. Alkira did it for us in 3 days, and at very low cost." Matt Hoag, CTO at Koch Industries, said, "We had gone from a mass of complexity and months of work to a dashboard that allowed us simply to draw our network and deploy it in a few hours." (Testimonials)
Implementation & Support
How long does it take to implement Alkira, and how easy is it to get started?
Customers can implement a proof of concept in as little as 4 hours, with full production deployment typically taking about 8 weeks. Alkira provides a drag-and-drop interface, a dedicated training platform (Alkira Training), 24×7 monitoring, and dedicated support to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
What support and training does Alkira provide?
Alkira offers a dedicated training platform with detailed guidance, demos, and resources, 24×7 monitoring, a diagnostics dashboard for troubleshooting, and dedicated support via email (support@alkira.com) or support tickets. These resources help customers adopt Alkira's solutions efficiently, regardless of technical expertise. (Training Platform)
How does Alkira handle maintenance, upgrades, and troubleshooting?
Alkira provides proactive notifications for planned or emergency maintenance, a diagnostics dashboard for live troubleshooting, 24×7 monitoring to meet SLA commitments, and dedicated support for issue resolution. This ensures minimal downtime and operational disruptions.
Competition & Comparison
How does Alkira compare to competitors like Aviatrix, Prosimo, Nefeli, and Cato?
Alkira differentiates itself by offering a true abstraction layer leveraging cloud providers' infrastructure, single-click provisioning, integrated security, and a unified platform for both cloud and traditional network use cases. For example:
- Aviatrix: Focuses on orchestration overlays and requires deep cloud expertise. Alkira provides end-to-end solutions without requiring deep expertise.
- Prosimo: Application-centric networking with limited traditional network use case support. Alkira addresses both cloud and traditional use cases.
- Nefeli: Agent-based solutions with manual configurations. Alkira offers automated routing and a unified platform.
- Cato: SD-WAN focused, limited for multi-cloud. Alkira provides global backbone-as-a-service for multi-cloud and hybrid environments.
(Solution explainer)
Why should a customer choose Alkira over alternatives?
Alkira offers a true abstraction layer, integrated security, ease of use, rapid global connectivity, measurable ROI, vendor-agnostic flexibility, and comprehensive visibility. These features make Alkira a leader in simplifying multicloud networking and enhancing operational efficiency. (Learn more)
Company & Vision
What is Alkira's vision and mission?
Alkira's vision is to transform enterprise connectivity by simplifying cloud networking for the AI era. Its mission is to eliminate the complexity of traditional hardware-dependent networking by providing a cloud-native solution that seamlessly connects hybrid and multi-cloud environments through a unified control plane. (Company page)
What is Alkira's company background and industry recognition?
Alkira was founded by the creators of Viptela (acquired by Cisco in 2017) and has been recognized as a Gartner Cool Vendor, a Forbes Best Startup Employer, and a recipient of the 2024 Excellence Award from Cloud Computing Magazine. Alkira was also listed on CRN’s 2023 Stellar Startups List. (Company page)
Industry Use Cases & Case Studies
Which industries are represented in Alkira's case studies?
Industries include manufacturing, retail, healthcare, telecommunications, financial services, biotechnology/life sciences, software technology, media & entertainment, and aviation. (Case studies)
Episode-Specific Questions
What is explained in Episode 18: Seamlessly Extend Cisco SD-WAN to the Cloud with Alkira?
Episode 18 demonstrates how Cisco SD-WAN fabrics can be seamlessly integrated into a fully modernized cloud network-as-a-service using Alkira's platform, enabling enterprises to extend their SD-WAN to any public cloud with automated deployment and management. (Watch episode)
